– Despite the anti-rollover system the Jeep Grand Cherokee shows potentially fatal rollover tendencies at low speed in our avoidance maneuver test, also called moose test or elk test. Such behavior is totally unacceptable in 2012, says Teknikens Värld’s Linus Pröjtz.Teknikens Värld tests hundreds of new car models every year. In our car testing the moose test is included which is our proprietary evasive maneuver test where we in a set track simulate a moose, a child or other danger suddenly running out in front of the car. The test clearly shows how well or badly the car performs in a panic situation in traffic. The moose test reveals how well the car’s active safety systems – such as traction control and anti-rollover system – work.Even at 39.5 mph (63.5 km/h) in the moose test the Jeep Grand Cherokee goes up on two wheels, in the middle of the maneuver, and surprises us greatly by being about to roll over. Exactly how high up on two wheels before our test driver has time to prevent a roll over is clearly visible in the image and in the movie above.– If it wasn’t for our professional test driver’s quick reaction the Jeep Grand Cherokee would have rolled over. The handling of the car is lethal for the average motorist, says Daniel Frodin, Editor in Chief at Teknikens Värld.Jeep Grand Cherokee was launched in 1993 and is the best selling car model in its segment in America. The Latest generation of car model went on sale in Sweden 2011.Despite nearly two weeks of communication Jeep has not provided any information or explanation for the lethal behavior of the Grand Cherokee.

Cars used as referencesWe have used two cars as reference cars in the moose test: Volkswagen Touareg and Volvo XC90. Both the Touareg and XC90 can maneuver on the set track at speeds around 43.5 mph (70 km/h) without any tendency to roll over. Other competing car models, such as the BMW X5, can also handle speeds around 43.5 mph (70 km/h) without any problems. Compare the pictures to the right with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and how it performs in the movie above.

When we ran the previous generation of Jeep Grand Cherokee in the moose test in 2005 the car passed the test without any problems. It is obvious that Jeep has been careless in the construction of the current model.

Past failures in the moose testTeknikens Värld has performed evasive maneuver tests (moose tests) since the 1970s, and it happens every now and then that our test reveals cars that are poorly designed in chassis construction. In 1997 the Mercedes A-Class overturned (see picture) in the moose test, which became a world scoop and which later got Mercedes to redesign the car.In 2007 Toyota Hilux showed the same tendency to tip over. After Toyota performed their own moose test they decided to stop sales of the Hilux with 16-inch wheels in Europe. The moose test with Toyota Hilux can be seen on film here.

Think they have ESP on. Otherwise the car would slide (or roll) into the woods.
Euro NCAP does not run with a full load as you can see in the video you are linking to. There’s only one person, the driver. In this film they drive with five people and probably load in the trunk.

Mal

You should be more honest in your testing:
Statement from Chrysler Group Chrysler Group engineers are investigating a Swedish magazine’s evaluation of the 2012 Grand Cherokee. During the evaluation, the publication was able to capture images of a Grand Cherokee on two wheels as it performed an extreme maneuver in an overloaded condition. Advised of this event by the magazine, Chrysler Group engineers made numerous attempts to reproduce the wheel-lift in a properly loaded vehicle. Extensive testing produced no such result. A subsequent evaluation was conducted by the magazine July 8 in Sweden and witnessed by Chrysler Group engineers. Three vehicles performed 11 runs on a course prepared by the magazine. None reproduced the original event. The uncharacteristic result was obtained using a vehicle loaded beyond its weight specifications. The Grand Cherokee’s weight limitations are clearly stated on the vehicle and in the owner’s manual. Also, the extreme maneuver performed by the magazine is not certified by any regulatory agency, nor is it used to establish any sanctioned safety ratings. Chrysler Group takes seriously any safety concerns and engineers are examining the event to better understand the magazine’s claims. A “Top Safety Pick” of the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2012 Grand Cherokee is an award-winning SUV that features Electronic Stability Control and Electronic Roll Mitigation as standard equipment. It meets or exceeds all government safety mandates and its outstanding performance has made it the most awarded SUV in history.

Keith

This is not an independent text moron, this is from chrysler.

These guys have done this test since the 70’s, it was of course loaded according to the specifications.

Mercedes tried the same tactis in 97, ended up recalling every vehichle and redesigning the car.

Anders

Keith,

A scientific test is NOT valid if you cannot replicate it. And in this case Teknikens Varld cannot replicate it.

I find these lines most important telling us that Chrysler is the cheating part:
”When we performed the moose test with Chrysler/Fiat present the car manufacturer’s representatives on site provided the loading of the car. Then the tires were pried off the rims instead of going up on two wheels like before. A total of seven times, the tires were pried off the wheels, a very serious error”

And you can ask yourself why Chrysler is not telling us the story about the rim and tire failure. They do not want the truth to be revealed.

Anders

@Why?

Who is telling the truth here…

“But by the admission of test-driver Ruben Börjesson, the vehicle used to perform the extreme maneuver was overloaded by 110 lbs. ”

• the car was loaded according to the owners manual at the first test. In the second test the car did not have max load.
• the tires during the second test was ripped of 7 of 11 test drives. Also the wheels was in the air, but not as much as In the first test.
• this test is not extreme in any way, just a simulation of a daily ”try-not-to-hit-the-child-in-the-street-turn”. You can find a illustration of how the cones are placed if you read the test. Its just a simple left and right turn where the car is moved 3 1/3 feet sideways.

R Aindeer

ESP WAS activated of course! TEknikens Varls always use all safety functions in the cars during the moose tests.

They have duplicated the wheel lift. Even when Chrysler was attending the sheels lifted from the ground (but not as much as the car wasnt max loaded).

B Eaver

Thruth and facts about the Jeep and the Moose test + an illustration of the test track:

Have you ever tried to fool with a Ferrari in the desert dunes to go up or boot up in the mountains, a rocky hill. It is an SUV and not a racecar. During the maneuver, especially when driving and the way cars are not too tilted to the SUV category. If the Swedish automotive industry back from the brink, they must draw attention to themselves?

cv

First of all alots of the suv can do this maneuver whit max load…Chrysler couldent do it even whit 75% off the max load..
Sec when in the hell did BMW and WV or Audi belongs to the Swedish automotive industry ???
Third even some pickups can do this..
and nr 4 when did Ferrarie say they could drive offroad??are u saying Cherokee was not meant to be driving on a road??

Gunnar

Trucks and suv are easily turning over. Snow in Stockholm now

AR

The picture clearly shows that the left rear tire is underinflated. Pump more air in the tire and the problem is solved.